23 August 2018
CRH and Playtech“The FTSE 100 has ignored the latest tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China to forge slightly higher in early trading,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
CRH“Weather disruption has not prevented building materials business CRH from chalking up a solid first half, with revenue nudging higher and profit up 5%, there’s also a 2% hike...
22 August 2018
Avast and Grafton“Dollar weakness once again drags on the FTSE 100, leaving the blue chip index trading 0.3% lower at 7,545. In contrast, Asian markets are in much better health including a 0.6% rise in Japan’s Nikkei 225 index.
“Unhelpful to the London market is the fact that not a single FTSE 100 company has issued corporate results or trading updates on...
21 August 2018
BHP Billiton and Persimmon“Having risen for three trading sessions in a row, the FTSE 100 comes to a grinding halt. Strength in utility and consumer goods companies is not enough to offset weakness in miners, construction companies and financial stocks, leaving the blue chip index trading 0.1% lower at 7,582,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
BHP Billiton“...
20 August 2018
G4S and Mulberry“The FTSE 100 starts the week on the front foot as investors await key trade talks between the US and China later this week,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
Mulberry“Today’s announcement from luxury handbag maker Mulberry is a reminder that the victims of the current high street malaise in the UK do not just include the retailers...
17 August 2018
Graveyard index beats the FTSE 100“The market is firmly in holiday mode with minimal corporate announcements and no movement from the FTSE 100 on Friday. Trading at 7,559, the blue chip index is going to have work harder if it is to stand a chance of returning to the 7,877 high seen in May. Risk appetite looks weak at present, so markets may remain in a small trading range until...
16 August 2018
French woes weigh on Kingfisher“ Kingfisher’s Turkish joint-venture Koçtaş is a very, very small part of the DIY giant – it contributed just £3 million in profit last year in combination with a 49%-owned French operation – so investors don’t need to worry too much about that, but slack sales at the core Castorama brand in France is a bigger concern altogether,” says Russ Mould...
16 August 2018
Amazon / Insurance price comparison sites and on the beach“Investors will be very relieved there isn’t a continuation of yesterday’s market slump on Thursday. The FTSE 100 manages to claw back some of the lost territory with a 0.2% gain to 7,511.
“European markets follow suit, although Asia had another bad day with markets in India, Hong Kong and Japan all in the red, suggesting that some investors still...
15 August 2018
Balfour Beatty and Copper price / Mining sector“The FTSE 100 refuses to budge on Wednesday as mining sector weakness is offset by another good day for the insurance sector, plus gains in drug and healthcare companies,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Balfour Beatty“You can sum up the market reaction to Balfour Beatty’s results as ‘what have you got up your sleeve for your next...
14 August 2018
Turkey teaches new generation of investors some old (and painful) lessons“The collapse of the Turkish lira and the threat of contagion across emerging and also developed stock and bond markets look to be catching many investors off guard but this is just an example of what the economist J.K. Galbraith once termed ‘the extreme brevity of financial memory, because we have been here before,” says Russ Mould, AJ Bell...
14 August 2018
Royal Mail and Antofagasta“The utilities sector came to the market’s rescue on Tuesday, helping to put the FTSE 100 in positive territory with support from the insurance sector off the back of Esure’s takeover bid. The blue chip index nudged up 0.2% to 7,656 in early trading,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
Royal Mail“ Royal Mail’s £50m fine by Ofcom for...
13 August 2018
Turkey fall out: emerging markets funds, South African companies, DP Eurasia and Chemring“Cyclical stocks were out of fashion on Monday as miners and travel companies served to drag down the FTSE 100, falling 0.7% to 7,617 amid wider weakness in global markets triggered by troubles in Turkey.
“On the UK market, TUI, EasyJet, Anglo American and Evraz were among the FTSE 100 stocks in negative territory.
“In Europe, the Cac 40 index in...
10 August 2018
House of Fraser fighting to avoid becoming fourth founder member of FTSE 100 to go bust“Three founder members of the FTSE 100 in 1984 went broke and it is to be hoped that House of Fraser – a private company since 2006 – does not become a fourth, not least for the sake of the company’s staff and suppliers,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“The retailer is being placed in administration but this is quite different...
10 August 2018
Volution and Prophotonix“The FTSE 100 is firmly lower this morning after weak trading in the US and Asia overnight. Just when you think the index is regaining some momentum it suffers another setback. Since achieving a record level in late May, the FTSE has been stuck in a pretty tight range,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Volution“Investors in ventilation...
9 August 2018
TUI and Cineworld“The steady advance in the FTSE 100 so far this week is rudely interrupted as global tensions over trade continue to dog the financial markets,” says AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
TUI“It’s hard to know how to read today’s third quarter update from travel operator TUI. On the one hand earnings are down nearly 7% year-on-year and yet on...
8 August 2018
Short-sellers in Tesla get burned again as Musk floats plan to take firm private“A very experienced – and successful – hedge fund manager once told me that he never shorted high-flying, popular stocks until they had at least halved, because that was when confidence would finally begin to crack and shareholders would start to sell on the rallies and not buy on the dips. The latest action in Tesla’s share price reinforces the...
8 August 2018
TT Electronics and Hill & Smith“For a second day the FTSE 100 is enjoying modest gains although the index is still trading only slightly higher than it was a month ago, reflecting the lack of momentum behind stocks at present,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
TT Electronics“When electrical components manufacturer TT Electronics snapped up its smaller peer Stadium...
7 August 2018
Domino's pizza and Intertek“The FTSE 100 traded materially higher this morning after positive trading sessions in the US and Asia overnight,’ says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Domino's pizza“Markets are always looking forward so it is unsurprising that a solid second quarter performance from takeaway pizza firm Domino’s, achieved despite the headwind created by...
6 August 2018
HSBC, Spire and IWG“The FTSE 100 was flat early on Monday amid ongoing tensions over trade between the US and China and some chatter on Brexit,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
HSBC“The better-than-expected performance of HSBC shares put pressure on the company to deliver with its first half results and on that basis they came up a little short.
“Prof...
2 August 2018
Countrywide and Rolls-Royce“The FTSE 100 traded lower on Thursday morning ahead of today’s UK interest rate decision. A hike is widely expected but investors will be watching the voting split and guidance on the future direction of rates closely,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Countrywide“Investors should be very wary when a business is both operationally and...
1 August 2018
Apple’s valuation nears the $1 trillion mark – but is that such a good thing?“Apple’s third-quarter earnings easily beat analysts’ forecasts, as sales rose 17% and earnings per share soared by 40%, as price increases on its hardware and flourishing services and app store revenues more than compensated for sluggish volume growth in iPhones, iPads and iMacs,” says Russ Mould, AJ Bell Investment Director.
“The shares...
1 August 2018
Lloyds and Next“The FTSE 100 traded materially lower on Wednesday, with fears of a renewed escalation in trade fears taking a bite out of any positive sentiment created by Apple’s strong earnings report,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Lloyds“It may seem strange given the volatility the sector has endured in the wake of the global financial crisis...
31 July 2018
Cash flow finally starts to gush at BP but concerns over BHP deal overshadow dividend increase“Gone are the days when BP was offering a dividend yield of 7% to 8% and that is actually a good thing, because it means investors are no longer demanding such a high return to compensate themselves for the risks associated with holding the shares,” says Russ Mould, AJ Bell Investment Director.
“Fears of a dividend cut three years ago, as oil...
31 July 2018
BP, Travis Perkins and Centrica“The FTSE 100 traded modestly higher on Tuesday morning despite heavy losses in US technology stocks overnight,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
BP“For a long period in the wake of 2014’s oil price crash the key question was whether or not BP could maintain its generous dividend payments.
“Well the debate has now moved on after the...
30 July 2018
Foxtons and Clipper Logistics“The FTSE 100 begins the week in uncertain form as investors await key decisions on monetary policy in the UK, US and Japan this week,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
Foxtons“Today’s numbers from London-focused estate agent Foxtons reflect a continuation of the negative trends the company has been facing of late.
“The lettings...
27 July 2018
FTSE 100 and Rightmove UK stock market: FTSE 100“The UK stock market has effectively gone nowhere in the past two months, much to the frustration of investors who are desperate to find ways to generate returns better than the feeble rates paid on cash deposit accounts,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
“The FTSE 100 on Friday managed a 0.3% gain to 7,686...
25 July 2018
ITV and Victrex“The mining sector continues to be volatile with metal and coal producers reversing yesterday’s rally to drag down the FTSE 100 on Wednesday. The blue chip index was down 0.3% to 7,687 in early trading with weakness in banking stocks also weighing on the market,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
ITV“ ITV’s new strategy to go beyond...
24 July 2018
Fevertree drinks, Hammerson and Britvic“Miners, transport companies and banks do their best at lifting the FTSE 100 on Tuesday, with the index rising 0.1% to 7,663,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
Fevertree drinks“ Fevertree is a true British success story, showing how it is possible to take a seemingly commoditised product, introduce a higher quality version and...
23 July 2018
Ryanair and McColl's Retail‘The UK stock market follows Asia lower on Monday with a 0.7% drop in the FTSE 100 to 7,629 as trade war concerns continue to trouble investors. The blue chip index saw notable weakness in travel stocks, tobacco companies and housebuilders,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Ryanair“Michael O’Leary may have to dust off some of his...
20 July 2018
Retail sector and Sirius Minerals“After a patchy start to the week, the FTSE 100 has subsequently managed to keep its chin up and is on track to end the five-day session approximately 0.5% ahead at 7,700.
“Unilever is the best performing FTSE 100 stock over the past week with a 4.1% gain, closely followed by Ocado which is up 4%. The worst performer is WPP, down 7.4%,” says Russ...
19 July 2018
Babcock, Sports Direct and Moneysupermarket“It’s another static day for the UK markets with the FTSE 100 flat at 7,676. Gains in oil companies, transport firms and tobacco stocks are offset by weakness in miners, industrial companies and tech stocks,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Babcock“ Babcock has been a frustrating business for a number of years. It is highly...
18 July 2018
EasyJet, RPC and Smiths Group“Weak sterling gives a lift to the FTSE 100 on Wednesday, benefiting the large number of companies that generate earnings overseas, such as miners and construction firms. The blue chip index was up 0.5% to 7,667 in early trading,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
EasyJet“ EasyJet’s latest trading update is a perfect reminder of the...
17 July 2018
Subscriber growth slowdown spooks Netflix shareholders but cash flow and valuation are the real issues“Investors in Netflix are suffering a rare reverse today as the shares are tumbling amid disappointment over the company’s subscriber addition number for the second quarter of the year. But nerves over the subs figure relay reflect the company’s lofty valuation and how the company is still a long way from generating the sort of cash flow that would...
17 July 2018
Royal Mail, TalkTalk and Galliford Try“The FTSE 100 continues to hover around the 7,600 mark despite a notable increase in corporate news on Tuesday, something that tends to drive up trading volumes. The blue chip index sees strength in life insurers and housebuilders offset by weakness in tobacco and construction stocks,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
Royal Mail...
16 July 2018
Individior, the infrastructure sector and Debenhams“The FTSE 100 holds firm at 7,664 as the new trading week gets underway. A robust performance from utility companies and engineers is offset by weakness in miners and insurers,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Indivior“A large number of companies spend a disproportionate amount of time fighting to protect their intellectual...
13 July 2018
Superyachts, hot weather and high valuations show it’s tough being a retailer (even a really successful one)It’s not as if much further evidence was needed, but today shows just how tough it is to be a retailer in the current environment of low wage growth, high debts and brittle consumer confidence,
DFS has coughed up a profit warning, Dunelm’s trading update lived down to the low expectations set by May’s disappointing update to leave its shares at a...
13 July 2018
Hays and Ashmore“A decent showing from the FTSE 100 on Friday means the index is on track to end the week up 1.1%. While investors will be relieved that it has nudged up in value, it isn’t enough to compensate for the FTSE’s patchy performance this year.
“Anyone putting money in a FTSE 100 tracker at the start of 2018 would have made a mere 0.2% return so far...
12 July 2018
What could trigger a sterling crisis and what could investors expect as a result?Sterling has suffered three crises of confidence since 1945, so a repeat cannot be entirely ruled out owing to the current political upheaval and lack of clarity on Brexit, although previous notable plunges have been the result of economic problems rather than any games of musical chairs at Westminster.
Prime Minister Harold Wilson devalued the...
12 July 2018
SKY and ASOS“Stock markets have switched direction following yesterday’s sea of red. Markets step forward on Thursday including a 0.2% rise in the FTSE 100 to 7,609, helped by a strong showing from tobacco and drug stocks,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
SKY“The stock market continues to believe that the winner of the Sky takeover battle...
11 July 2018
Housebuilders keep subsiding despite strong numbers from Barratt“Shares in house builder Barratt are trading at their lowest level since January 2017 despite a reassuring full-year trading update, which shows further price increases, better-than-expected profit and a higher-than-forecast net cash pile, all of which support the company’s plans to pay meaty dividends to shareholders,” says Russ Mould, AJ Bell...
11 July 2018
Sky, Indivior and Barratt Developments“Stock markets around the world are in the red as investors react to the latest trade war development. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index fell 1.2%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 1.8% and in the UK the FTSE 100 traded 1.1% lower on Wednesday. “Plans by the US for an additional $200bn of tariffs on Chinese goods has caused investors to lose their...
10 July 2018
Ocado and TP ICAP“The FTSE 100 has been in a rising trend for most of July and now trades just below 7,700. While still some way off the 7,877 year-to-date high (on a market close basis), the blue chip index is currently displaying its strongest performance since May, helped by the US dollar strengthening against the pound which benefits the large number of FTSE...
9 July 2018
Is artificial intelligence the future?Artificial Intelligence has come a long way since the days when Deep Blue faced Garry Kasparov over a chess board. Matt Brennan, AJ Bell Investments’ Head of Passive Portfolios, explains why it’s now time to consider investing in Artificial Intelligence and the companies that could benefit from the sector’s growth in coming years.
Why Robot?
Aft...
9 July 2018
Mothercare and Stobart“The feel-good factor created by England reaching its first World Cup semi-final in nearly 30 years is reflected in a positive open for UK stocks this morning. Although trade war fears have been dialled back for now, politics is likely to dominate this week amid ongoing ructions over Brexit and Donald Trump’s visit to the UK,” says AJ Bell...
6 July 2018
Why EU regulation move may be more of a worry for Facebook and Google than investors think“Shares in Facebook and Google were up on Thursday, despite comments that the German authorities still believe their activities should be regulated as if they were telecoms services providers, given that they provide messaging and email, but this may be more of a threat than investors think,” says Russ Mould, AJ Bell Investment Director.
“Google is...
6 July 2018
ITV and UK stock market: AIM significantly outperforms FTSE 100“A 0.2% rise in the FTSE 100 on Friday to 7,619 isn’t enough to lift it out of the sticky patch in which it has traded since mid-June. “Utility companies and tobacco stocks are doing their best to lift the blue chip index but there is notable resistance from insurers and banks which weigh on the FTSE and make it harder for the market to break out...
5 July 2018
Three quick ways to measure the second-quarter results season in AmericaAmerica’s headline S&P 500 index is up by just 2% for the year in dollar terms, which seems like a pretty paltry return given how bullish everyone seems to be.
Worries over tariffs, inflation and a steely Federal Reserve, which seems unwilling (quite rightly) to mollycoddle the markets, are all weighing on share prices and once Independence Day is...
5 July 2018
Housebuilders and estate agents, Sophos and Superdry“The FTSE 100 advanced 0.3% to 7,598 in early trading on Thursday, helped by gains in the mining, construction and transport sectors,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
Housebuilders and estate agents: Persimmon, Bovis Homes, Purplebricks“Continuing growth for housebuilders Persimmon and Bovis Homes helps reassure a sceptical market...
4 July 2018
Sainsbury's and National Express“Markets continue to go through a one step forward, one step back motion. The FTSE 100 failed to match the excitement seen with England’s World Cup win last night, slipping 0.3% to 7,569 in morning trading on Wednesday. Asian markets were also looking gloomy with Hong Kong and Tokyo both in the red,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell...
3 July 2018
Water Companies - United Utilities, Pennon and Severn Trent and ASOSUK and mainland European markets are back in positive territory on Tuesday, bucking a negative trend seen in parts of Asia. The FTSE 100 nudges 0.1% higher to 7,555, helped by gains in the pharmaceutical and oil sectors,” says Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
WATER COMPANIES / UNITED UTILITIES / PENNON / SEVERN TRENT
Utility companies...
2 July 2018
Tesco and Playtech“The UK stock market follows parts of Asia lower on Monday with the FTSE 100 falling 1.2% to 7,548. Weak oil prices drag down shares in Royal Dutch Shell and BP, as well as many of the big mining stocks, which in turn weigh on the FTSE,” says Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell.
Tesco“ Tesco continues to be very proactive in its quest to...